What's in my makeup bag? Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd

Having a rummage through some of our favourite faces’ wares.

Each week, we’ll be taking a peek into some of our faves’ makeup bags to see their must-have products, because we’re nosey. This week, it’s the turn of skin lecturer Jennifer Rock – better known as The Skin Nerd.

Her earliest makeup memories

“When I was 13, my mam brought me to get a makeup lesson to cover spots and to learn how to create a natural day look in my local salon. However, now, my approach is all about skin and not the artistry of makeup.

I usually go for as dewy, fresh and flawless a skin look as I can manage, time dependent. Brow-wise, I keep it simple, well-shaped but thick and bold. As well as that, I’d say fluffy lashes (as in not too loaded with product) and colour pop lips.”

“When I was in my early 20s, I was always going for heavy, matte makeup – I always wanted a lot of coverage to conceal my perceived problems. I wanted to switch to a fresh look and was sick of makeup transferring to phones, all over my car and on my clothes, so that’s when I changed my makeup routine.

“For nights out, I definitely vamp it up and go heavier, there’s a big change between daytime me and nighttime me.”

Her makeup bag

What’s inside?

“I tend to keep it quite minimalistic in terms of what I use on a daily basis - Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher concealer for my under eye area to make me look more awake. It’s relatively new to my makeup bag, I’ve been using it for three to four months. It earned its spot due to being packed with vitamins and antioxidants rather than being solely makeup.”

“I’m genetically predisposed to a hollow in my inner under eye area so I need a good quality concealer and the Charlotte Tilbury one is lightweight, can be applied under or over foundation and so is easy to top up during the day.”

Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher concealer
Source: Charlotte Tilbury

“I combine Fuschia, Blush and Bellápierremineral foundations depending on how much coverage I need and because I’m so pale, it’s difficult to get a perfect shade match from just one product. Blush is the best for coverage. Jane Iredale Glow Time BB cream is pale enough but I always powder over it to prevent shininess.

“I’ve always rated mineral makeup for it’s antioxidant qualities, skin benefits and for the fact that it adds additional value to one’s skincare regime. The coverage is completely buildable, meaning you can do a quick all-over lick when you have to leave the house ten minutes ago or ten layers for nights out. It’s also water resistant, and doesn’t leave the pesky tell-tale tide lines that a traditional liquid foundation does.”

Bellápierre Cosmetics mineral foundation
Source: Look Fantastic

“Another vital product I always, always have with me is Yonka’s Lotion Yonka for my Spritz O’Clocks. I’d use either the PNG or the PS format of the lotion, as the difference is only in a few essential oils.

“I adore spritzing as it hydrates and it is not just for vanity purposes as it has medicinal value. The Lotion Yon-ka refreshes my makeup and is antibacterial. I’ve been using Yon-ka products for 12 years, and I’ve been spritzing with the Lotion Yon-ka for 5 years so it has a long-standing role in my daily routine.”

Yonka Lotion PS Toner
Source: Millies

Her philosphy

“To be brutally honest, I don’t really care about leaving the house without makeup on. I think it has to do with the fact that, working in the skincare industry, I’ve heard so many women saying that they wouldn’t leave the house without lippy, mascara, foundation or whatever was their personal must have.

It led me to try to genuinely embrace who I am and what I look like because I don’t ever want to be entirely reliant on products to be able to live my daily life.

“I understand that it’s not quite as simple as that for some people, but after years of using a dream skincare routine after thorough skin consultations, my skin has a very even colour and texture. Because of that, I’m happy without facial coverage.

“For example, the other day I was filming with TV3 and the cameraman asked me to take my makeup off before we shot – I had to tell him I had nothing on! Proof that my skin doesn’t look dramatically different without makeup but it’s a result of time, effort and dedication to my skin, inside, outside and on top and that is The Skin Nerd philosophy.”

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